Some Facebook thoughts...

A few words I posted on the HITC Facebook page the other day...thought I'd post them here as well:

A few words that aren’t music related at all. I’m simply just trying to figure out Facebook. Are they trying to con/trick me into spending money on promoting the page or the individual posts? In the beginning my posts easily hit 70 or more reaches (which I guess means unique viewers), but the past week, I’ve been struggling to even get to 40 reaches. The number of likes has stalled, but if the “insight” provided by Facebook can be trusted, I haven’t been “unliked” or “hidden” by anyone, so one should expect the number of reaches to be fairly stable. Unless of course the habits of the “likers” have changed dramatically and they’ve all turned their backs on Facebook (and somehow I doubt that). So are Facebook now showing their true face and revealing themselves as the pushers of the technological world? Kind of giving you all the stuff and kicks you need to begin with, and then ever so slowly reducing the number of people you automatically reach, thus making you all sweaty and nervous and over and over again making you wonder if you should perhaps spend just a little hard earned cash on getting your audience back? But trust me; I won’t be conned and Facebook will never ever get any of my money. It’s still kind of frustrating though!

And the mandatory music content...nice catchy track Gold Crowned Eagle by Icelandic duo KAJAK...Electro-pop with "big tribal drums"

Rambling shit...

Continue to receive loads of shitty mails, so yesterday I made the decision to help people figuring things out, since they clearly cannot figure it out themselves. So set up a number of filters including bad words like "remix", "rnb" and "hip hop", and so far a fine little number of emails have ended up directly in the waste bin. And I've only just started and you bet more filthy words will be added. Now I can only dream of a function that will allow me to spam people right back with 20 mails (or more) telling them "I'm ever so sorry, but since you rather obviously did NOT read the guidelines and mailed me some horrible, horrible music, I thought I should let you know that your email automatically was filed in the trash folder. What a great job you did wasting your time, your client's money, but luckily you failed in wasting mine!"...or something similar rude!

Hopefully you've forgotten all about it, but maybe one of two remember how I wrote about my back problem? It still persists, but now I've got a name for it. It's called...you've probably guessed it...herniation. You can read a whole lot more about it at Wikipedia (or choose not to), but luckily it won't take an operation to fix it. Instead I will be looking forward to seeing my physiotherapist quite often over the next few months.

Is Orange is the new Black the new black? I've always hated TV-series and loathed the concept of having to wait 1 to 7 days for the story to continue. However, I signed up for Netflix about a month ago (to get access to the movies and the children's stuff) and ever since the provider has done a real fine job reminding me again and again that "hey we have truckloads of series right here, just waiting to be streamed". So this weekend I finally gave in and thought "what the heck; why not give it a try?". So obviously I decided to make my "debut" by watching a series about a woman sentenced to 15 months in a women's prison. And being my "debut" I logically cannot share my opinion on whether or not this is better than any other series around. But 5 episodes in, I'm rather impressed by the mix of drama (most of the characters being far more captivating and with far more interesting stories than I ever expected) and comedy (at times it's absolutely hilarious). And of course...the best part being that there are several episodes left as well as loads and loads of other series to be looking forward to...

This is really contradictory I know and very much against anything I've "preached" about obscurity over the years. So despite Cut Copy being the most blogged artist according to Hypem, I nonetheless have to post the band's new track We Are Explorer. Not groundbreaking or anything, just a plain brilliant electronic pop tune.


Never mentioned the release of The Proctors' album Everlasting Light (through Shelflife Records). Lead single Trouble With Forever is a simply wonderful jangly guitar pop tune that is bound to bring back some lovely Sarah Records memories...currently streaming the album via Spotify and it really is quite wonderful!

One step forward; two steps back...

I’m seriously considering a switch back to English. The logic being that my posts in Danish are shit and so were my posts in English. Though it shouldn’t really matter since no one’s reading anything I write anyway. But after all; writing in English should increase the number of people not reading my posts. By that I mean that there are far more people understanding English than Danish, so by switching back you can say that I’ll be ignored by a far greater number of people. Make sense of that if you can…

The title refers to the shape of my back. It’s been hurting for nearly three months and just when I thought things were getting better, I spent 9 hours this past weekend on a bench, in a church, in Copenhagen watching a somewhat shortened version of Wagner’s Ring Cycle (the blurry photo is from Die Walküre). I survived and actually thought it was immensely enjoyable, but my back sure took a setback (it prefers that I’m either laying down or standing up). Perhaps someday I’ll write some thoughts on the Ring Cycle, as there sure is a lot to say, mean, think etc. But (hopefully) without sounding too melodramatic, music, movies etc. will never quite be the same again after being introduced to The Ring, as I will constantly from now on and forever be hearing and looking for references.

In case you didn’t understand any of my Danish posts (and you probably weren’t around anyway) they were in vast majority a copy paste of previous posts written in English. Most of the time bitching and nagging about the poor quality of the music found in the mailbox. Or putting it another way…shitty music for at shitty blog! However some music was actually pretty OK, so you really should do yourself the favor and scroll down or check some older posts. There were gems!

But today I’m just cursing at my back pain…ouch...and will perhaps be checking out some music as well, but don't count on it!

Playliste med stjerner på...

Har brugt lidt tid her til formiddag med at uddele stjerner i bunker på Spotify…med lidt assistance fra min last.fm profil, hvor jeg har efterladt digitale fingeraftryk siden februar 2005! Mere end 100.000 streams er det blevet til og jeg må nok erkende, at der blandt mine 500 "overall top tracks" er en enkelt eller to, jeg har glemt alt (ALT) om. I nogle tilfælde føles det næsten skandaløst at jeg har kunnet glemme dem (som fx nedenstående (nedenpostede?) popperle fra svenske Moonbabies), men bekræfter vel blot at kærlighed til sange og artister er en særdeles flygtig størrelse (Justin Bieber beware!)? Så jeg har været yderst rundhåndet med stjernerne (pt. består listen af 145 147 en hel del sange), for at de jævnligt kan minde mig om, at jeg skal huske at lytte til netop disse numre/artister. Hvilket så givetvis i længden vil betyde, at der vil blive fjernet nogle stykker, efterhånden som jeg få lyttet mig igennem bunken...tjek listen i al sin pragt…

Den første video til War On Sound var den fedeste (løbere ved søerne og et skilt med "Helsingør"), men denne mere officielle promo video har en langt bedre lydkvalitet, så...

Time for a change...

Been lacking the drive to update the blog for quite some time now and though it has been updated fairly regularly my heart has not been in it. This has more than once made me ponder, if the time had finally come to throw in the towel and thus free myself from the burden of blogging. But since the blog has been quite an integral part of my life the past 8 years (met quite a few people and made one or two friends), I’ve always rejected that idea. However it’s no longer possible to ignore that things need to change, as the blog is a joke right now and rapidly dying. So to (hopefully) regain the passion for blogging, I’ve decided to switch language and will continue this blog in my native Danish. Perhaps just for a while, perhaps permanently. I honestly doubt anyone will notice or care, but to me it will be a huge and most welcomed change!

Bring out the brooms...

Been a while, so spending a little time today checking mails. Despite writing fewer and fewer posts the emails keep on coming, so my guess is that none of the people sending are actually paying any attention to the activity (or lack of it) on the blog! Naively (as always) hoping that I'll find some interesting stuff...if I do, it will pop up somewhere in the right column (just look for "NEW!" and should have no problems finding it/them)...

Mails...

Got a whopping 15,420 emails in my inbox...seriously suck at checking/reading/deleting emails these days...perhaps because the gems found that way are becoming more and more rare, so lots of work and very little reward...but will try to spend a little time today reducing the clutter!

Still far too many mails promoting remixes, hip-hop, rap, metal etc....or to put it quite simply; shit I don't give a damn about! And of course I'm sure that your festival is the best and most interesting ever, but unless you offer plane ticket and accommodation (or it's within 1 hours travel from where I live), I really don't care. And of course it's great that this or that band is touring North America, but...here we go, right back to that plane ticket and accommodation stuff I mentioned two seconds ago! And then of course there's the downright horrible stuff that (for the 1,000th time at least) has me wondering, why someone thinks it's worth promoting and who seriously is paying for it! Note to self: you need to use the "spam" button more often!

Always a balance act...a press release informing that some band is releasing their debut album without a single music link (not even a Youtube one) being included stands very little chance of being read...but including the entire album probably isn't a great idea either (I mean - if each and every one of the 15,000 mails included 45 minutes of music and I wanted to give it all a listen, it would take 11,250 hours or 468 days getting the job done)...so a small appetizer making me hungry for more has to be the answer...?

Just found one that looked intriguing...short message and a download link for a new track...and then the download link isn't working...bummer...hmmm...there's a link for their bandcamp site as well...not bad, but not overly exiting either...

Finally...here's a pretty nice one. Mad Planet (pretty stupid band name) from LA shares Pieces of You from their forthcoming album Ghost Notes. Described as an "electro-pop outfit", though I would probably have included "rock" somewhere as the promo track features some pretty cool, haunting and fairly noisy guitars. As mentioned above...this was the perfect appetizer, so I've just downloaded a copy of the album!
+ Pieces of You

Think I'll give that Mad Planet album a listen, so no more ramblings for now...

Various...

I’ve probably written this a billion times before (give and take a few), but nonetheless I still feel that it’s relevant to repeat it from time to time. To all you friendly people sending mails suggesting I should check out this, that or something else; I’m truly sorry if you never get any reply or even better see the stuff featured around here. But time is a limited resource and although I do my best actually giving what’s sent my way a listen, it’s still only a minor part of the whole thing. As it should be painfully obvious to anyone, who’s accidentally tried to read one of my posts, English is not my first language. Heck; I was pretty horrible at it in school and to me grammar was always a complete waste of time. So believe it or not; every fucking post I’ve ever written took pretty close to forever to write. It may not look as if they did, but trust me! They did! So every time I start feel like writing a post I immediately start thinking of the grammar and spell checks, googling for phrases, finding synonyms etc. Needless to say quite a few blog posts have ended up never seeing the light of day, because I really didn’t have energy for another English lesson. And though I often post songs or videos accompanied by only a few lines, there also happen to be days, where I think posts like that are too pathetic to post. I’m just rambling here and probably should get to the point...problem is: there is not point really. So I’ll just shut the fuck up for now and post some of the stuff that’s on my to-do-list to hopefully ease my conscience a little...

Extinctions, the new album by Burning Hearts, was released yesterday. It's an absolute beauty so please, please, please give it a listen!
+ Burn Burn Burn

What seems like ages ago, I labeled The Papertiger Sound as "one of the best unsigned bands in the world". As far as I can tell they remain unsigned, but luckily they are still around recording music and continue giving it away for free. New EP Call Home is free to download via bandcamp and older releases can be grabbed from the band's homepage.
+ Safe Inside

Embarassing has to be the word. Three weeks ago I mailed Datawaslost and requested a download copy of the North College Hill album by The Minor Leagues. They gladly (and quickly) mailed it and I showed my gratitude by...doing absolutely nothing! Stupid...for a number of resaons. If I want labels to mail me albums, it's probably a mighty fine idea writing a few words! But more importantly the album contains some pretty damn good pop songs and how will my two readers know that unless I tell them (they probably knew already)?
+ Please Don't Throw My Love Away

Danish band Forgotten Fields On Fire is now called Jetsi Kain. Not really sure why, but as long as they keep writing charming pop songs, I really couldn't care less. New track I'm In Control was produced by the same lads, who produced the track by The Electic Moniker I posted not so long ago and does have a little of the same Caribbean feel to it (more reggae than calypso though)...
+ I'm In Control

2012...

Here we go; the first post of the New Year. For a couple of minutes I was thinking of simply reposting last year’s post, because it basically says what I want to say (again). Summed up that is:

a) Work sucks
b) No New Year’s resolutions but...
c) I will try to keep this blog alive for another year
d) I will try to stop whining
e) Work sucks

Happy New Year and hope a few of you will stick around for 2012!

Keeping a promise...sort of...

Wrote earlier today that I was planning to post a longer post tonight. Well tonight is now and so far I've done exactly no work (and the same amount of planning) on any post. I guess this means business as usual then; I surf around a bit...check some mails...read a few tweets...scan Facebook and who knows; maybe some time during the evening something interesting will pop up?

Stick around...unless of course you have better things to do (which I sincerely hope for you)...

This is always so embarrassing; checking out a band and thinking to myself that "this is pretty good". Then I visit the band's Facebook page only to find out that I'm already a fan of the band...ahem! Then I double check and realize that I've actually posted a song by the band some months ago...ahem (again)! Perhaps my age is finally catching up with me?

Anyway...The Wandas writes catchy 70's inspired guitar pop/rock songs...and if you haven't surfed on by now and didn't download the song the first time around, I recommend that you invest a few minutes and give them a listen!

  Do or Die (new!) by the WANDAS

  Forever and Ever (new!) by the WANDAS

I'll let Danish trio Black Light White Light introduce themselves, as it will take me a lifetime (or more) to come up with anything better than this; "Hazy, neo-psychedelic rock with a retro soul bringing you fuzzy and catchy pop songs with a modern Spectorish 60s sound that sucks you in like a crimson lighted sky on a summer night in a desert valley.". Glorious Bastards (which indeed is a catchy 60's sounding pop song) is from the band's debut album due later this fall. Tobias the bassist is Tobias of old blog favorites Death Valley Sleepers.

  Black Light White Light - Glorious Bastards by Low Life Inc

Friday night...

The wife’s out, the kids are watching TV, I’m having a beer and enjoying that for once the computer is mine…aaaaall mine! Really tired tonight, but having a few things I’d like to post and share, so sleep is put on hold!

Boxstr.net still isn't working. Will be quite interesting if they have the nerve to keep charging their monthly fee, but "at least" their support hasn't replied to any of my emails. Great, great service (can you spell sarcasm...s-a-r-c-a-s-m)...Fuckers!

On a far more positive note. Earlier today the always helpful and up-to-date Mikkel pointed my attention to the little known, but nonetheless absolutely brilliant Danish one-man project Flag White. The debut EP, which can be downloaded for free (or for whatever amount you wish to pay) via bandcamp, contains 5 tracks that could be described as electronic indie pop/rock with a twist of shoegaze. Totally likeable stuff!
+ Of Laughter And Forgetting

More positive news comes from The Boombox Hearts, who are in the studio recording a good old-fashioned single (though not so old-fashioned that there will be any physical copies) with an a-side (the hit) and a b-side (which they expect that no one will give a damn about). Btw. Ivan of the band thinks we should all listen to the new single by Halasan Bazar, which indeed is very nice and reminds me a bit of The Rumour Said Fire!
  You Will Know by Halasan Bazar

You've probably all grabbed it by now, but still worth mentioning that Labrador gives away a 22-track sampler called Stockholm.
+ Sambassadeur - Days

She Wants Revenge shares a demo version of the track These Things.
  These Things (demo) by DJ Adam 12

2011...

First day at work of the new year (that was yesterday) pretty much turned out to be exactly like I expected it to be; chaotic and unpleasantly reminding me that busy days are fast approaching. Things have been exactly the same for the past many years, so hardly a surprise. But still I’m trying to get used to it and most likely never will!

Don’t make New Year’s resolutions any longer, as the last one I made (a few years back) was that I wanted to gain 20 kilos (44 lbs). Not by working out but instead through eating and drinking (the fun way). But my wife said no (and of course a whole lot more), so it kinda ended there. So since I’m no longer allowed to make any funny ones, then why make any at all?

But I promise (unless of course you consider this a threat) that I’ll do my utmost to keep the blog alive for another year and perhaps (please note: I wrote perhaps, thus not promising anything) even try to improve the quality of the content...and reduce the whining. Though the last part could prove difficult!

Over and out and back to work…

ps. thank you to whomever it was who clicked the Google ad yesterday!

Lazy Friday evening...

And quite a lazy one it is. The wife is out, the kids are watching some useless TV-show and I’m here by the computer having one of my favorite beers. So I guess you can say that everyone’s enjoying themselves. And that’s a nice way to end what has (in many ways) been a rather good day.

First of all I was out running 25 minutes this afternoon. Those few of you who are regulars will know that my back’s been bothering me for the past 3 weeks. Simply put, I’ve been “grounded”, as I was told that running was close to the stupidest thing I could do as long as the back was aching. But yesterday my chiropractor (finally) told me it was ok to start running again and though I’m obviously light-years away from marathon shape, I’m still confident that this was the first small step toward better days.

And even earlier today I bought a ticket for the Divine Comedy concert at Lille Vega on October 23. At first when the concert date was announced I was rather frustrated, because I expected that I'd be away on holiday at that time. But plans have been changed, so time has come for my first Divine Comedy live experience! Heard it should be great!?

Finally I bought two CD’s today, which I believe are the first in perhaps six months. I hate to admit it, but I’ve completely changed my old music purchasing habits this year and no longer invest my cash in them golden discs. But today I just had to! The first one was the new album by Kent. I still think it’s a somewhat disappointing release, but since I'm calling myself a Kent fan it simply doesn’t make sense not buying the bands releases. The second album was The Suburbs and the reason for this purchase is really very simple, as it's by far the best release of the year and I need to be able to hear it everywhere (car, stereo etc.).

Yesterday Ginger Ninja guitarist Rasmus shared a video on Facebook of a Dutch band covering Sunshine. This rather alternative version generated several rather amusing comments of which my favorite was “ninjazz”. Funny!

When will I ever learn...?

Yesterday was pure torture, as I was tired beyond belief. Had far too much to drink and went to bed far too late Saturday evening, so yesterday my age once again showed its ugly face. The partying and drinking wasn’t a direct result of Denmark’s trashing of Cameroun at the World Cup (would like to think of it as “trashing”, though a “fortunate win” is the somewhat more accurate way to describe it), but simply because I spent a real fun evening with great company. And we all know how nights like those can evolve, and Saturday night it certainly did! But today I’m in a much better shape, so time to re-group and get back to blogging.

The new Spleen United single Sunset to Sunset can now be streamed at Myspace. I've always been a fan of Spleen United and therefore really hate to write this, but I do think that the new song is one of the band's weakest efforts to date.

Another new track streaming at Myspace is Caves and Light by The William Blakes. It’s the first track published from the band’s forthcoming (and third) album The Way of the Warrior, which will be out on September 13. Perhaps sounding a bit more “polished” than previous stuff released by the band, but more importantly the band certainly hasn't forgotten how to craft a great pop song!

The jury is still out on the new (and free to download) track Here Sometimes by Blonde Redhead. It’s not bad at all, but not really standing out either in the way I hoped it would (perhaps even equaling or beating 23, which is downright fantastic).
+ 23

Found this track by Elk City in the mailbox last week and it’s been on frequent rotation ever since. From the album House of Tongues which was released by Friendly Fire Recordings on June 1.
+ Nine O’clock in France

Another really nice one from the mailbox is the dark and haunting You Can’t Be Alone by All Saints Day. Not yet taken from any release, but simply mailed out to help promoting the duo’s forthcoming 7” release It’ll Come Around. Personally I like "Alone" a lot better than the track they’ve picked as the lead track on the single!
+ You Can’t Be Alone

A house full of girls...

I assure you that the above title sounds a lot more interesting than is actually the case. My wife has invited five friends over for an all-girl dinner, and I’m looking after the kiddos. Or sort of looking after, as they are busy watching some Barbie flick. So as long as I’m keeping a low profile and minding my own business everyone should be happy. And since I have my laptop and an (so-so working) internet connection, this is exactly what I intend to do! Though at some point, I’m probably going to risk an eye and try to get my hands on a glass of red wine.

But now I’m going to check out some mails, news, blogs etc. and perhaps add something to this post should anything of interest pop up.

Stick around! Who knows what will happen??

Come April Slowshark Records will release Moto Boy’s sophomore album Lost In The Call in Denmark. The label has mailed me the first single of the album called The Heart Is A Rebel and that’s one pure, sweet and catchy pop song!
+ The Heart Is A Rebel

The promo mails have started to arrive, so I'm slowly beginning to believe that Clinging to a Scheme will indeed be released in April. We've been waiting for so long, so can this really be true?
+ Heaven's On Fire

Hungarians EZ Basic are giving away their new (and absolutely smashing) song May in exchange for your email address. So much worth it and right now I simply cannot stop listening! What the f*ck? Taking the chance and risking the second eye by posting the song. The word on this song needs to be spread (and fast) and hopefully the band will approve this move!
+ May

And while you're busy exchanging your mails address, why not swap it for the new and absolutely lovely (and wonderfully titled) single Our Love Was Saved By Spacemen by The Pipettes?

Things are bloody close to surreal tonight. Just found this track by PaperDoll in a promo mail and for the I don't know how manieth time tonight I'm completely blown away. If this is a dream don't wake me up. Unless it's the red wine that's doing the trick?
+ Anything At All

It's almost midnight, so time to find the bed! A lovely Sunday to everyone!

Drought...

Drought might not be the best word to use today, as snow is, if not pouring then at least, falling in large enough quantities to make roads and pavements both slippery and slushy. However from a blogging point of view, it certainly is more than fair to use the term, as the flow of interesting news seems to have dried up completely. And this despite getting 50+ promo mails and reading lots and lots of tweets and Myspace updates every day, but apparently my favorite bands and labels have decided that 2009 is over and instead sit back and wait for 2010 to kick off? So today I’ve come to the only obvious conclusion (still it took me hours to come up with) that it's time to be proactive rather than reactive and give some of the new artists introduced to me everyday a listen and that way (hopefully) find a couple of new favorite ones?

Sometimes a little whining is all it takes and just moments after posting the above, I had one of those experiences, I wish would occur every day, as I was swept off my feet completely by this track (randomly picked from the inbox). The Bailing is a gorgeously beautiful (electro-indie-rock-somewhat-shoegazy) song, which immediately took me on a dreamy trip well above the clouds, where I’ve been floating around ever since! Back on earth Inu is a trio from the US west cost consisting of experienced and rather diverse musicians (check out their rather comprehensive CV’s), who have just recently finished recording a debut EP named Monster (“available for download at the price of your choice”). A debut album, videos, live shows etc. will follow in 2010.
+ The Bailing

More from the promo pile;

Every time this happens I cannot help thinking of it as a joke, because why is it that when an album is released in Denmark (by a Danish artist) it's virtually impossible getting a single promo track to post? But as soon as the album is about to be released abroad (in the US especially) the promo mails start arriving. The most recent example is the US release of the Oh No Ono album Eggs that will be out January 26 next year on Friendly Fire Recordings.
+ Helplessly Young

Swedish label Nomethod is giving away the new singles by Mixtapes & Cellmates and Aerial. Excellent stuff as always!!
+ Mixtapes & Cellmates - Soft Eyes
+ Aerial - Velvet Light Trap

Death...

This is not well-written. It's rather depressing. But everything comes straight from the heart...For years I’ve had the (admittedly) rather odd habit of checking the obituaries/funeral notices, when reading the newspaper at lunchtime. Colleagues have often looked in disbelief and asked me why, but I doubt I’ve ever been able to come up with a convincing explanation. The closest I’ve come is probably something like, I do it to remind myself that life is something you “borrow” for a certain period of time and therefore should be treated with enormous respect. Not in any way meaning that I’m constantly forcing myself to be thinking of death, but especially those situations, where people my age (or younger) have died, have caused me to reflect on life. So far this has been nothing but this odd and rather neutral/anonymous habit, as I’ve never seen the name of anyone I’ve known. But that just changed Tuesday afternoon, when I recognized a name from a distant past. Not someone close. Not someone I believe I ever used to call a friend. But one of my classmates from nearly 20 years ago (when I was pretending to be studying at CBS), with whom I spent a lot of time during the three years and did all the usual stuff ranging from schoolwork to drinking beers. Actually I had lots of great classmates, but of all the people I’ve ever met at school (and life in general), I doubt I’ve ever respected anyone more than him. He was a few years older, very intelligent, sporty, a favorite with the girls and yet at the same time he was hard-working as well as having no problems at all being incredibly friendly and helpful. A truly rare combination! Looking back those three years went by extremely fast and since I’ve always been really terrible at keeping in touch, I quickly lost contact with my classmates (those were the days before mails and Facebook) following graduation. I’ve more than once thought about contacting him (as well as a few others), curious to hear the usual stuff about life, jobs, family etc. But this “hey it’s me from the past – remember?” thing has always made me feel awkward, so mails were never written (yes - I did actually find him “out there” in cyberspace). Do I regret it; of course I do, but not much I can do about it now, except perhaps write a few of those other mails I've been thinking of writing for a long time?
+ White Lies - Death (Crystal Castles Remix)

Lists...

I was somehow convinced/manipulated by Anders to compile a list of my 25 favorite albums of the past (or what will soon be the past) decade and submit it for a soon-to-be-published Frekvens Top 50. Having spent several hours on this project today, I now clearly recall why I hate making those lists. Be it a best of the year, decade, whatever, list, I still hate it. They are just so definitive and once you’ve published them, there’s always the risk that they’ll be used forever to question your taste, judgment and lack of knowledge. Especially the later, as I willingly admit that time has forced me to ignore far too many releases that I at least should have given a few listens. In my research I checked out some of my year end lists (I refuse to post links, so you’ll have to find them yourself) and was rather confounded by some of the picks. Actually by quite a few to be honest. Albums I rated so highly back then have been collecting dust ever since. Others barely sneaking into my top 10 (or 20) turned out to be real growers and in hindsight should have been ranked much higher. So being afraid of publicly contradicting myself, I more than once thought about canceling the whole thing, but decided to take the “lists are useless, but fun to make” approach instead and that way talked myself into finalizing and sending a list. What? You want to see the list? Forget it! No way, I’m going to publish it! Didn't you read the above? But I’ll reveal this much; The Last Broadcast by Doves was my top pick, while And The Glass Handed Kites by Mew was my clear-cut choice for the best album by a Danish artist.

Thoughts and such...

In a whining mood, as I’m once again contemplating whether or not I should continue blogging. Well I’ve been through this a number of times before and the outcome is pretty much given, as I will of course carry on. But today is just one of those days, where things seem to make no sense. Spend far too much time on this. Both writing posts and constantly searching for new (and interesting) stuff. Still it happens way too often that I never get around to write about or even listen to things I ought to check out (generously sent to me by artists I like and respect – some of it I even asked them to mail me), and therefore end up having a bad conscience. And isn’t blogging supposed to be fun? And not about feeling guilty? I mean! I know I’ll never make a living out of this, so this will forever remain a hobby. A hobby is definitely a good thing. At least so I’ve been told! But what’s the point if it’s puts you under constant pressure or makes you feel that you’re letting someone down? Oh well fuck the whining. I’ll post whenever I have the time and I’ll post whatever I feel like posting and if the music you sent me is never featured, I swear it’s not ill will.

U2 inspired Danes Grand Avenue will be playing at Templet (located in Lyngby just outside Copenhagen) tomorrow night and I’m seriously thinking of going. I’ve seen the band twice before and they are surprisingly much better live than on recordings. However the true reason for my considerations is the supporting act Sorgenfrei/Villumsen; a fairly new constellation consisting of Andreas Sorgenfrei (of Didium & The Black Bonnie Picture) and Jonas Villumsen (of Entakt). Now all I need is the guts to call the chief and ask for a “going out permit”. Read more about the track below here or here.
+ Bygdebarn (En Sang For J)

Experience has taught me not to be too blue-eyed optimistic, when it comes to Matinée Recordings and release days, but November looks as if it could turn out to be rather noteworthy, as the label will (finally) release the Northern Portrait debut as well as the sophomore album by The Electric Pop Group. As everyone should be aware of by now, I’ve eagerly been awaiting both releases for, if not ages then at least, a long, long time! Another intriguing release by the label could be The Matinée Grand Prix compilation, which will include (new?) tracks by 11 absolutely amazing artists!!

Danish shoegazers Dorias Baracca writes that they are on the verge of being signed by glorious label Club AC30. Accordingly this should be followed by the release of the band’s debut EP Handsome Meltingpoint!
+ The Only Touch

Celebration time...

Denmark just qualified for next year's soccer World Cup by beating Sweden 1-0 tonight. South Africa beware! A horde of vikings will invade your country next summer! And right now I can't think of a better way to celebrate it than having (yet another) Russian beer, thus keeping yesterday's thread alive. I've been told that this one's called "Old Mill", but Anders do please correct me if I'm wrong. It's actually my daughter's 4 years birthday today as well, but I'm not quite sure if it's really possible to get the rest of Denmark to be equally excited about this. So let's stick to celebrating the soccer win instead!

Sticking to the theme (sort of), so here's some Russian dance music. I expect it to be rather easily forgotten, but should nonetheless get a few feet moving. The track was mailed to me last night and the mail appropriately included verification that yesterday's beer is indeed called "White Bear".
+ Xuman - Panic